A GROUP of budding young swimmers represented St Helens over the weekend and brought back a collection of winning medals.
Taking place on Saturday, October 1, and Sunday, October 2 at Wirral Europa Pools, 16 teams competed in the regional swimming Open Gala.
The Open Gala is designed to test swimmers against rivals across the North West and see if any young athletes are fast enough to be selected for county teams.
With 12 swimmers representing St Helens Swimming Club at the competition in Wirral, the talented athletes brought home 16 medals.
This included five gold medals for Hayden Battle in the 200m breaststroke, 50m breaststroke, 50m backstroke, and 200m individual medley.
Oliver Crosby won gold in the 200m freestyle, silver in the 100m and 50m backstroke and 100m individual medley, and bronze in the 400m, 100m, and 50m freestyle.
Alicia Ashton won silver in the 200m individual medley and 100m backstroke, and bronze in the 400m freestyle and 50m breaststroke.
Jaxon Pullen also won a silver in the 100m butterfly.
Founded in 1885, St Helens Swimming Club has trained hundreds of swimmers and competed in a wide range of competitions since its inception more than one hundred years ago.
There were concerns about the club's longevity a few years ago, which were intensified by the closure of Parr Swimming Baths, but since the arrival of a brand new committee and coaches, the club has been growing from strength to strength.
Laura Ashton, one of the committee members at St Helens Swimming Club, said that the medals at the recent competition highlight that the club is moving in the right direction and can rank highly in further competitions.
She said: "We have around 55 members at the Swimming Club now and they absolutely love it.
"We are a real swim family here and everyone is very close and supportive of one another.
"The medals show that we are doing something right here and the kids have done really well to get to where they are.
"They put in a lot of dedication and a lot of effort so hopefully we can kick on and win more at future competitions."
St Helens Swimming Club train at Kirkby Leisure Centre every Thursday and Friday, and at Newton-le-Willows Health and Fitness Centre on Saturdays.
For more information, visit their website here.
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